*'''Lake Erie Shipwrecks''' Lake Erie has over 1700 shipwrecks [http://www.ohioshipwrecks.org], of which only approximately 277 have been found and salvaged, or located by divers and remain on the bottom. Over 6000 shipwrecks are known to have occurred Great Lakes-wide, with Lake Erie claiming the most at 1700. Lorain's offshore waters hold some of the best wrecks for diving in Lake Erie. Popular destination shipwrecks offshore of the Lorain area include: Morning Star, City of Concord, Courtland, Hickory Stick, Sarah Sheldon, Ivanhoe, Craftsman, Alva B, John Pridgeon Jr., and the Duke Luedtke just to mention a few. (Dave Kelch, Ohio State University Extension Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant)

*'''Lake Erie Shipwrecks''' Lake Erie has over 1700 shipwrecks [http://www.ohioshipwrecks.org], of which only approximately 277 have been found and salvaged, or located by divers and remain on the bottom. Over 6000 shipwrecks are known to have occurred Great Lakes-wide, with Lake Erie claiming the most at 1700. Lorain's offshore waters hold some of the best wrecks for diving in Lake Erie. Popular destination shipwrecks offshore of the Lorain area include: Morning Star, City of Concord, Courtland, Hickory Stick, Sarah Sheldon, Ivanhoe, Craftsman, Alva B, John Pridgeon Jr., and the Duke Luedtke just to mention a few. (Dave Kelch, Ohio State University Extension Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant)

−

*'''[[Back Roads and Beaches Bike and Multi-Sport Route]]'''

+

*'''Back Roads and Beaches Bike and Multi-Sport Route''' [http://www.backroadsandbeachesohio.com] Miles of rolling, rural roads with beautiful scenery ranging from farmland and forest to the nautical flavor of the Lake Erie Shoreline. The route provides the most scenic and low traffic routes that lead riders through some of Ohio's best landscape. It also highlights some of the area's most relevant history, culture, arts and cutting-edge environmental initiatives. The BRaB tour only highlights eateries that feature locally grown produce, organics, healthy choices and spectacular outdoor views of natural areas. The route travels through several small towns and cities in Lorain County. The tour is popular with both touring cyclists as well as training athletes and triathletes. The tour features abundant Underground Railroad history as well as six wineries and a number of art galleries along the way.

−

[http://www.backroadsandbeachesohio.com] Miles of rolling, rural roads with beautiful scenery ranging from farmland and forest to the nautical flavor of the Lake Erie Shoreline. The route provides the most scenic and low traffic routes that lead riders through some of Ohio's best landscape. It also highlights some of the area's most relevant history, culture, arts and cutting-edge environmental initiatives. The BRaB tour only highlights eateries that feature locally grown produce, organics, healthy choices and spectacular outdoor views of natural areas. The route travels through several small towns and cities in Lorain County. The tour is popular with both touring cyclists as well as training athletes and triathletes. The tour features abundant Underground Railroad history as well as six wineries and a number of art galleries along the way.

+

Mileage and Terrain: Most of the route is relatively flat with a few rolling sections. You will find some challenging climbs in the northwest section, just south of Vermilion.

Mileage and Terrain: Most of the route is relatively flat with a few rolling sections. You will find some challenging climbs in the northwest section, just south of Vermilion.

−

*'''Black River and Lake Erie Kayaking'''[http://backroadsandbeachesohio.com/2008/07/kayaking-trip-up-black-river-in-lorain.html] [[Image:Kayak2.jpg|thumb|Kayaker on Lake Erie]] Kayakers of all skill levels will be comfortable on the Black River and/or Lake Erie. Lake Erie offers spectacular scenery, birding and up-close views of the Lorain Lighthouse. From here you can kayak on Lake Erie, inside or outside the breakwall.

+

*'''Black River and Lake Erie Kayaking''' - Kayakers of all skill levels will be comfortable on the Black River and/or Lake Erie. Lake Erie offers spectacular scenery, birding and up-close views of the Lorain Lighthouse. From here you can kayak on Lake Erie, inside or outside the breakwall.

−

+

−

*'''Mountain Biking''' The almost 10 mile Thorn Mountain Biking trail at Findley State Park has beautiful forested single track with options for beginner to expert. [http://backroadsandbeachesohio.com/2008/10/hit-trail.html]

+

+

*'''Mountain Biking''' The almost 10 mile Thorn Mountain Biking trail at Findley State Park has beautiful forested single track with options for beginner to expert.

*'''Cascade Park''' Elyria. Features beautiful twin waterfalls that mark the union of the east and west branches of the Black River. Explore the shale cliffs and natural formations created by the retreat of the Wisconsin glacier over 12,000 years ago.

*'''Cascade Park''' Elyria. Features beautiful twin waterfalls that mark the union of the east and west branches of the Black River. Explore the shale cliffs and natural formations created by the retreat of the Wisconsin glacier over 12,000 years ago.

−

*'''Lakeview Beach and Park''' On SR 6 in Lorain. Newly restored, this is one of the nicest beaches on Lake Erie with a brand new bathhouse that overlooks Lake Erie and the Lorain Lighthouse. It is one of Lorain County's most picturesque beaches. Historic fountain is lit up at night. [http://www.byways.org/stories/74838]

+

*'''Lakeview Beach and Park''' On SR 6 in Lorain. Newly restored, this is one of the nicest beaches on Lake Erie with a brand new bathhouse that overlooks Lake Erie and the Lorain Lighthouse. It is one of Lorain County's most picturesque beaches. Historic fountain is lit up at night.

−

*'''Lake Erie Central Basin Sport Fishing''' [http://www.visitloraincounty.com/outdoor-adventure-nature/fishing] Sport fishing in Lorain County consists of walleye fishing in Lake Erie, to fishing the numerous tributary streams for trophy steelhead. Walleye are considered [[Image:Fishingboats.jpg|left|thumb|Fishing boats on Lake Erie]]the most-pursued game fish on Lake Erie, and in Lorain County waters, they are caught along Lorain County's rocky nearshore beginning in the spring and continuing through the entire season. Deeper offshore waters offer anglers plenty of walleye action during the summer and fall months, with both trolling and drifting/cast methods being productive. Limit catches and trophy sized fish are trademarks of our Lake Erie waters. The well-known sandbar, located between Lorain and Vermilion, creates a natural habitat for summer and fall walleye, producing many trophy-size walleye in late October and November. Smallmouth bass are plentiful along the entire lenght of Lorain County's rocky shoreline and artificial reef structures, providing fast action from spring through fall. (Dave Kelch, Ohio State University Extension Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant)

+

*'''Lake Erie Central Basin Sport Fishing''' - Sport fishing in Lorain County consists of walleye fishing in Lake Erie, to fishing the numerous tributary streams for trophy steelhead. Walleye are considered the most-pursued game fish on Lake Erie, and in Lorain County waters, they are caught along Lorain County's rocky nearshore beginning in the spring and continuing through the entire season. Deeper offshore waters offer anglers plenty of walleye action during the summer and fall months, with both trolling and drifting/cast methods being productive. Limit catches and trophy sized fish are trademarks of our Lake Erie waters. The well-known sandbar, located between Lorain and Vermilion, creates a natural habitat for summer and fall walleye, producing many trophy-size walleye in late October and November. Smallmouth bass are plentiful along the entire lenght of Lorain County's rocky shoreline and artificial reef structures, providing fast action from spring through fall. (Dave Kelch, Ohio State University Extension Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant)

−

*'''Underground Railroad History''' While northern Lorain County established itself as a manufacturing mecca, a tiny town miles to the south put itself on the map for a different reason. Oberlin would come to be known as "The Town that Started the Civil War." Students and faculty of Oberlin College were especially sympathetic to fugitive slaves. Today the college's Underground Railroad sculpture, dramatic railroad tracks that emerge from the ground, is surrounded by a healing garden of flowering and leafed plants used by slaves on their road to freedom. The Oberlin Heritage Center [http://www.oberlinheritage.org] and the Spirit of '76 Museum in Wellington are valuable resources for more on the area's role in the civil War. Throughout Lorain County, churches, cemeteries, historic homes and peaceful parks collectively tell America's story of freedom. "On the Trail to Freedom," is a program developed in 1992 by Visit Lorain County which guides visitors to points of interest on the Underground Railroad. [http://www.visitloraincounty.com/railroad]

+

*'''Underground Railroad History''' While northern Lorain County established itself as a manufacturing mecca, a tiny town miles to the south put itself on the map for a different reason. Oberlin would come to be known as "The Town that Started the Civil War." Students and faculty of Oberlin College were especially sympathetic to fugitive slaves. Today the college's Underground Railroad sculpture, dramatic railroad tracks that emerge from the ground, is surrounded by a healing garden of flowering and leafed plants used by slaves on their road to freedom. The Oberlin Heritage Center [http://www.oberlinheritage.org] and the Spirit of '76 Museum in Wellington are valuable resources for more on the area's role in the civil War. Throughout Lorain County, churches, cemeteries, historic homes and peaceful parks collectively tell America's story of freedom. "On the Trail to Freedom," is a program developed in 1992 by Visit Lorain County which guides visitors to points of interest on the Underground Railroad.

−

[[Image:Franklloydwrightusonian.jpg|thumb|Weltzheimer-Johnson House]]

*'''Allen Memorial Art Museum''' [http://www.oberlin.edu/amam] One of the finest college or university collections in the United States, comprising more than 12,000 works of art from virtually every culture.

*'''Allen Memorial Art Museum''' [http://www.oberlin.edu/amam] One of the finest college or university collections in the United States, comprising more than 12,000 works of art from virtually every culture.

Line 117:

Line 97:

==Do==

==Do==

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[[Image:LorainCountyFair.jpg|thumb|Lorain County Fair]]

*<do name="Lorain County Fair" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="(440) 647-2781" url="http://www.loraincountyfair.com" hours="August 24th-30th" price="" lat="" long="">The Lorain County Fair offers a fantastic family activity complete with rides, crafts, live music, and their famous demolition derby. You can also take a ride on on old fashion steam train for 15$

*<do name="Lorain County Fair" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="(440) 647-2781" url="http://www.loraincountyfair.com" hours="August 24th-30th" price="" lat="" long="">The Lorain County Fair offers a fantastic family activity complete with rides, crafts, live music, and their famous demolition derby. You can also take a ride on on old fashion steam train for 15$

</do>

</do>

Line 134:

Line 113:

*<do name="Oberlin College" alt="" address="101 N. Professor St., Oberlin, OH 44074" directions="" phone="(440) 775-8411" url="http://www.oberlin.edu/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Oberlin College is one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges and conservatories. Year round the college plays host to a multitude of events, ranging from concerts, to theatre performances, to speakers, and festivals. </do>

*<do name="Oberlin College" alt="" address="101 N. Professor St., Oberlin, OH 44074" directions="" phone="(440) 775-8411" url="http://www.oberlin.edu/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Oberlin College is one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges and conservatories. Year round the college plays host to a multitude of events, ranging from concerts, to theatre performances, to speakers, and festivals. </do>

*<do name="Ginko Gallery" alt="" address="19 South Main St., Oberlin, OH 44074" directions="" phone="(440) 774-3117" url="http://www.ginkogallery.net" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Ginko Gallery is a working fiberart studio and gallery in downtown Oberlin, which features the work of over 250 individuals. Local artists can be seen in small studios within Ginko crafting their pieces.</do>

*<do name="Ginko Gallery" alt="" address="19 South Main St., Oberlin, OH 44074" directions="" phone="(440) 774-3117" url="http://www.ginkogallery.net" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Ginko Gallery is a working fiberart studio and gallery in downtown Oberlin, which features the work of over 250 individuals. Local artists can be seen in small studios within Ginko crafting their pieces.</do>

Latest revision as of 23:17, 20 November 2013

This article or section does not match our manual of style or needs other editing. Please plunge forward, give it your attention and help it improve! Suggested fixes: Listings for individual hotels, restaurants and other businesses need to be moved from this article to the appropriate city article. Wikitravel region articles should provide an high level overview of the region, with pointers to the appropriate city articles for greater detail.

Lorain County is in Northeast Ohio. Located a short distance west of Cleveland, Ohio and east of Sandusky, Ohio, along the North Coast and shore of Lake Erie. The county seat is Elyria, Ohio. The Black River flows north through the county and into Lake Erie at Lorain

Lake Erie Lake Erie is the shallowest, warmest and southernmost of the Great Lakes, and is the 12th largest freshwater lake in the world. Erie's shallowness adds to its treacherous reputation; she can go from flat calm to a raging beast in less than 20 minutes. (Dave Kelch, Ohio State University Extension Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant)

Lake Erie Shipwrecks Lake Erie has over 1700 shipwrecks [1], of which only approximately 277 have been found and salvaged, or located by divers and remain on the bottom. Over 6000 shipwrecks are known to have occurred Great Lakes-wide, with Lake Erie claiming the most at 1700. Lorain's offshore waters hold some of the best wrecks for diving in Lake Erie. Popular destination shipwrecks offshore of the Lorain area include: Morning Star, City of Concord, Courtland, Hickory Stick, Sarah Sheldon, Ivanhoe, Craftsman, Alva B, John Pridgeon Jr., and the Duke Luedtke just to mention a few. (Dave Kelch, Ohio State University Extension Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant)

Back Roads and Beaches Bike and Multi-Sport Route[2] Miles of rolling, rural roads with beautiful scenery ranging from farmland and forest to the nautical flavor of the Lake Erie Shoreline. The route provides the most scenic and low traffic routes that lead riders through some of Ohio's best landscape. It also highlights some of the area's most relevant history, culture, arts and cutting-edge environmental initiatives. The BRaB tour only highlights eateries that feature locally grown produce, organics, healthy choices and spectacular outdoor views of natural areas. The route travels through several small towns and cities in Lorain County. The tour is popular with both touring cyclists as well as training athletes and triathletes. The tour features abundant Underground Railroad history as well as six wineries and a number of art galleries along the way.

Mileage and Terrain: Most of the route is relatively flat with a few rolling sections. You will find some challenging climbs in the northwest section, just south of Vermilion.

Black River and Lake Erie Kayaking - Kayakers of all skill levels will be comfortable on the Black River and/or Lake Erie. Lake Erie offers spectacular scenery, birding and up-close views of the Lorain Lighthouse. From here you can kayak on Lake Erie, inside or outside the breakwall.

Mountain Biking The almost 10 mile Thorn Mountain Biking trail at Findley State Park has beautiful forested single track with options for beginner to expert.

Cascade Park Elyria. Features beautiful twin waterfalls that mark the union of the east and west branches of the Black River. Explore the shale cliffs and natural formations created by the retreat of the Wisconsin glacier over 12,000 years ago.

Lakeview Beach and Park On SR 6 in Lorain. Newly restored, this is one of the nicest beaches on Lake Erie with a brand new bathhouse that overlooks Lake Erie and the Lorain Lighthouse. It is one of Lorain County's most picturesque beaches. Historic fountain is lit up at night.

Lake Erie Central Basin Sport Fishing - Sport fishing in Lorain County consists of walleye fishing in Lake Erie, to fishing the numerous tributary streams for trophy steelhead. Walleye are considered the most-pursued game fish on Lake Erie, and in Lorain County waters, they are caught along Lorain County's rocky nearshore beginning in the spring and continuing through the entire season. Deeper offshore waters offer anglers plenty of walleye action during the summer and fall months, with both trolling and drifting/cast methods being productive. Limit catches and trophy sized fish are trademarks of our Lake Erie waters. The well-known sandbar, located between Lorain and Vermilion, creates a natural habitat for summer and fall walleye, producing many trophy-size walleye in late October and November. Smallmouth bass are plentiful along the entire lenght of Lorain County's rocky shoreline and artificial reef structures, providing fast action from spring through fall. (Dave Kelch, Ohio State University Extension Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant)

Underground Railroad History While northern Lorain County established itself as a manufacturing mecca, a tiny town miles to the south put itself on the map for a different reason. Oberlin would come to be known as "The Town that Started the Civil War." Students and faculty of Oberlin College were especially sympathetic to fugitive slaves. Today the college's Underground Railroad sculpture, dramatic railroad tracks that emerge from the ground, is surrounded by a healing garden of flowering and leafed plants used by slaves on their road to freedom. The Oberlin Heritage Center [3] and the Spirit of '76 Museum in Wellington are valuable resources for more on the area's role in the civil War. Throughout Lorain County, churches, cemeteries, historic homes and peaceful parks collectively tell America's story of freedom. "On the Trail to Freedom," is a program developed in 1992 by Visit Lorain County which guides visitors to points of interest on the Underground Railroad.

Allen Memorial Art Museum[4] One of the finest college or university collections in the United States, comprising more than 12,000 works of art from virtually every culture.

Frank Lloyd Wright - Weltzheimer/Johnson House[5] The first Usonian house in Ohio and one of the few in the nation open to the public.

Lorain county is rich with history, with almost every city within having some kind of historical museums. However, you will find that most residents, especially younger people, will not even be aware of their own town's history. Take a trip to the local Historical Society in whichever town you are visiting to get a good overview of the history.

Lorain County Fair, ☎(440) 647-2781, [20]. August 24th-30th. The Lorain County Fair offers a fantastic family activity complete with rides, crafts, live music, and their famous demolition derby. You can also take a ride on on old fashion steam train for 15$ edit

Lake Erie Crushers Professional Baseball, 2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon, OH 44011, ☎(440) 934-3636, [21]. The Crushers are Lorain County's professional minor league baseball team. The Crushers are not affiliated with any major ball club, and instead, compete in the Frontier League, an association of twelve Midwestern baseball teams. In 2009, the state-of-the-art All Pro Freight Stadium was constructed. edit

The Shoppes of Olde Avon Village, 36840 Detroit Rd., Avon, OH 44011, [28]. The Shoppes of Olde Avon Village are a combination of modern specialty shops and restored, nineteenth century homes. Antiques, folk art, craft supplies, hobby needs, and much more can be found in the Olde Avon Village. edit

Miller's Apple Hill, 50549 State Route 113, Amherst, OH 44001, ☎(440) 965-7077, [30]. Come from mid-September to late October to pick apples in Miller's large and varied orchard, or stop by any time of the year to browse the bulk food store.edit

Oberlin College, 101 N. Professor St., Oberlin, OH 44074, ☎(440) 775-8411, [31]. Oberlin College is one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges and conservatories. Year round the college plays host to a multitude of events, ranging from concerts, to theatre performances, to speakers, and festivals. edit

FAVA-Firelands Association for the Visual Arts, 87 North Main St., Oberlin, OH 44074, ☎(440) 775-8665, [33]. Located in downtown Oberlin, the FAVA gallery hosts changing exhibits of high quality visual art year round.edit

Ginko Gallery, 19 South Main St., Oberlin, OH 44074, ☎(440) 774-3117, [34]. Ginko Gallery is a working fiberart studio and gallery in downtown Oberlin, which features the work of over 250 individuals. Local artists can be seen in small studios within Ginko crafting their pieces.edit

Schoeple Garden, Just of State Route 113 on Market Street in Birmingham, OH, ☎(440) 965-7237, [36]. Schoeple Garden, located near the Vermilion River, is composed of 70 acres of beautiful botanical gardens and natural woodland. Guided tours are available. edit

Smitty's Place, 368 E. Bridge St., Elyria, OH 44035, ☎440-323-9708, [43]. Smitty's features a great lunch and dinner menu along with excellent happy hour and beverage selections. Smitty's provides a family friendly dining room and patio seating in warm weather as well as bar seating where the sports are always on.edit

The Spitzer Café at the Spitzer Conference Center, 1005 Abbe Rd., North Elyria, OH 44035, ☎(440) 336-4100, [45]. The Spitzer Café, located on the Lorain County Community College Campus, offers an upscale buffet experience. edit

Strip, a Steakhouse, 36840 Detroit Rd., Avon, OH 44011, ☎440-934-9900, [46]. Located in the Olde Avon Village in the historic Ewers Barn.edit

John Christ Winery, 32421 Walker Road, ☎(440) 933-9672, [48]. John Christ Winery produces many award winning wines that are produced and bottled on the premises. Retail and tasting hours are daily. The bar is open Thursday through Sunday. edit